John Renehan – Born In County Offaly, Ireland. Part Of The Union Garrison At Fort Sumter On Friday 12th April 1861.
John Renehan, a Sergeant in Company H of the 1st Artillery Regiment, witnessed the first shots of the US Civil War at Fort Sumter in April 1861. Born in Offaly, Ireland, he served valiantly during the conflict, later re-enlisting after the fort’s surrender. He died prematurely from heart disease in January 1866.